Types Of Reinforced Concrete

Fibers are used in cement to deal with the splitting attributes and lessen penetrability. The encompassing concrete ensures the steel utilized for reinforcement. Glass fiber reinforced concrete is utilized for design items and steel fibers are for the most part utilized for paving and inside passages.

• History of Reinforced Concrete

Fibers have been used for concrete reinforcement since prehistoric times though technology has improved significantly, as is applicable for other fields. In the early age, straw and mortar were used for producing mud bricks, and horsehair was used for their reinforcement. As the fiber technology developed, cement was reinforced by asbestos fibers in the early twentieth century.

• Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC)

Glass fiber reinforced concrete has been successfully used since the last 25 years for concrete reinforcement, in addition to steel. GFRC is being manufactured into big panels with a simple configuration or into intricate shapes by using special techniques. Originally, GFRC components were anchored directly with the buildings by the use of metal studs. It was revealed that GFRC shifts considerably due to which the direct anchors are being replaced by slip anchors. Several structures use GFRC for dissimilar facing like ceramic tiles, bricks, and architectural purposes.

• Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete (SFRC)

Steel fiber reinforced concrete is a composite material that can be sprayed. It consists of hydraulic cements with steel fibers that are dispersed randomly and possess a rectangular cross-section. The steel fibers reinforce concrete by withstanding tensile cracking. The flexural strength of fiber reinforced concrete is greater than the un-reinforced concrete. Reinforcement of concrete by steel fibers is isotropic in nature that improves the resistance to fracture, disintegration, and fatigue. Steel fiber reinforced concrete is able to withstand light and heavy loads.

• Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC)

A fiber reinforced concrete has been developed recently that is called Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC). It is claimed that this concrete is 40 % lighter than normal concrete, resistance to cracking exceeds 500 times, and strain hardening exceeds several percent strain. Thus, the ductility is significantly greater than normal concrete. It is also known as bendable concrete since it can easily be molded and shaped. It can self-repair minor cracks by the reaction with carbon dioxide and rainwater, making the concrete stronger.